Top Growth Mindset Resources for Parents and Educators

Top Growth Mindset Resources for Parents and Educators

By now, you’ve probably heard of growth mindset and the tremendous impact it has on confidence, motivation, and success.

Check out this list of the BEST growth mindset resources for kids, parents, and teachers. Organized by category, this curated resource list includes videos, articles, lesson plans, programs, curriculums, activities for homeschool, classroom, or home.

We’ve organized all resources into the following sections:

  1. Getting Started with Growth Mindset
  2. Cultivating Persistence and Grit
  3. Parenting for a Growth Mindset
  4. Teaching for a Growth Mindset
  5. The Power of Praise
  6. How the Brain Learns
  7. Why Mistakes/Failure Are Great
  8. Misconceptions About Growth Mindset
  9. Additional Resources

Getting Started with Growth Mindset

Books

    Articles

    BLJ - the 4 week guide

    Websites

    • Mindset Online: Peruse Carol Dweck’s website for a simple explanation of Growth Mindset, links to interviews with the author, and tips for changing your mindset.
    • Big Life Journal: Discover growth mindset journals, blog posts, activities, and printables. Subscribe to receive free weekly growth mindset printables.

    Videos

    • The Power of Believing You Can Improve by Carol Dweck: Learn more about the power of yet and how you can “build the bridge to yet,” change kids’ mindsets and give them gifts like confidence and persistence.
    • The Power of Belief: Mindset and Success by Eduardo Briceño: Watch the CEO of MindWorks draw on social science research and real-life examples to explain how our understanding of intelligence and abilities impacts success.
    • Developing a Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck: Be inspired by this Stanford+Connects lecture about growth mindset, the power of yet, and how they can help kids succeed in and out of the classroom.
    • Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset by Sprouts: Enjoy this wonderfully explained, adorably illustrated explanation of growth mindset, fixed mindset, and why it matters.
    • How to Help Every Child Fulfill Their Potential by RSA: Listen to Carol Dweck discuss how our interactions with children can help them reach their fullest potential, accompanied by RSA’s world-famous animation.
    • Top 75 Growth Mindset Movies for Children by Big Life Journal: Choose a title from our curated list of movies with characters who demonstrate a growth mindset.
    • Big Life Journal YouTube Channel: Watch videos on how to use Big Life Journal printables, parenting Q&As, Mindset Mondays, and more.

    Printables

    • Growth Mindset Statements (inside the Growth Mindset Printables Kit): Print out and post our popular growth mindset statements poster in your home or classroom. You CAN change your mindset with words!
    • Growth Mindset ABC’s poster (inside the Growth Mindset Printables Kit): Share this popular poster with your children or class. The ABC’s poster is an encouraging and fun way to discuss growth mindset characteristics.

    Cultivating Persistence and Grit

    Books

    • Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth: Discover the secret to success that’s more valuable than talent: a combination of passion and persistence that pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth calls “grit.”
    • Top 30 Children's Books about Resilience by Big Life Journal: Read a book that promotes resilience and whose characters have grit. When we read stories that show others facing their problems and overcoming obstacles, we’re helping to develop the same mindset in our children.

    Articles

    • The Secret to Raising Smart Kids by Carol Dweck: Read about why you should emphasize persistence and strategies over intellect and talent, plus some simple steps to foster a growth mindset in your child.
    • How to Raise Resilient Kids Who Never Give Up by Big Life Journal: Teach your children to be resilient.  You can provide the tools they’ll need to navigate them successfully. This article outlines five tips to help you raise a resilient child.
    • 9 Activities to Build Grit and Resilience in Children by Big Life Journal: Read about how you can teach resilience and passion. Repeat the activities outlined in the article with your child to help him develop his inner grittiness, putting him on the path to happiness and success.

    Videos

    Parenting for a Growth Mindset

    Books

    BLJ teen and kids journals

    Articles

    Websites

    • Growth Mindset for Parents by PERTS: Explore lessons designed to teach parents what growth mindset is, why it matters, and the best strategies for instilling a growth mindset in kids. Includes activities, examples, and informative videos.
    • Brainology for Home by Mindset Works: Introduce your kids to this blended learning curriculum featuring animated instructional units and research-based activities designed to help kids in grades 4-9 develop a growth mindset.

    Videos

    • Three Ways Parents Can Instill a Growth Mindset by PERTS: Implement these three simple tips to have an immediate and powerful impact on your child’s mindset

    • How to Develop Growth Mindset in Kids by Smart Parent Stories: Learn more effective and easily implemented strategies to help your child build a powerful growth mindset.

    • How to Develop a Growth Mindset by Brandon Burchard: Learn some practical tips about developing a growth mindset—for yourself or your kids—from bestselling author and personal development trainer Brandon Burchard.

    • Fostering Growth Mindsets by Greater Good: Observe a discussion about fostering growth mindset between author Kelly Corrigan and Dr. Christine Carter, Executive Director of the Greater Good Science Center.

    • Teaching a Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck: Watch Carol Dweck as she explains how to best teach children about growth mindset and how it impacts their success.

    • Growth Mindset Video Series by ClassDojo: Educate younger kids about topics like making mistakes, the power of yet, and developing brain power with these short animated videos.

    Community

    Printables

    • Growth Mindset Printables Kit by Big Life Journal: Use these colorful printables to help your children or students learn about a growth mindset.

    • Growth Mindset Activity Kit by Big Life Journal: Practice creativity, problem-solving, resilience, learning from mistakes, trying new things, goal-setting, overcoming challenges, managing emotions, mindfulness, and gratitude. This kit has 25 time-tested activities perfect for use at home or in a classroom.

    Growth Mindset and Activity Kits

    Teaching for a Growth Mindset

    Books

    Articles

    Programs

    • Growth Mindset Assessment Tool by PERTS: Administer this survey to learn valuable information about your students’ current mindsets in just five minutes.

    • Mindset Kit for Teachers by PERTS: Use this free set of online lessons and practices to learn how to teach and foster adaptive beliefs about learning in your classroom.

    • Brainology by Mindset Works: Engage your students in this computer-based program that teaches kids about growth mindset through videos, animations, and activities.

    • LearnStorm by Khan Academy: Sign up for this free program and assign personalized practice and growth mindset activities to students. Includes lesson plans and Powerpoint presentations for educators.

    • Growth Mindset Programs by PERTS: Explore these programs with your students to help them learn about and develop a growth mindset. It’s free in the United States, and the program is faster than many others.

    • Ready-to-Use Resources for Mindsets in the Classroom: Everything Educators Need for Building Growth Mindset Learning Communities by Mary Cay Ricci:  Provides educators with the tools they need to help students change their thinking about their abilities and potential. The book features ready-to-use, interactive tools for students, teachers, parents, administrators, and professional development educators.

    • Growth Mindset Lesson Plan by Khan Academy: Utilize the activities, links, and videos developed by Khan Academy in collaboration with PERTS. Lessons and activities can be adapted to meet the needs of your individual students.

    • Growth Mindset Lesson Resources by Lee Araoz: Use these brightly colored “blasts of motivation” to introduce growth mindset to your students and spark learning.

    • Growth Mindset Lesson Plans by The Ned Show: Help your students understand the difference between fixed mindset and growth mindset with these six lessons. Each lesson incorporates writing, reading, discussions, and other activities.

    • Big Life Journal Lesson Plans by Big Life Journal: Use these growth mindset lesson plans, worksheets and activities along with your Big Life Journal.  This printable kit includes 13 lesson plans (110 pages) to help you guide young learners on an exciting journey of discovering growth mindset. Can be used in a homeschool setting/group or classroom.

    • Big Life Journal Teaching Guide (ages 11+) by Big Life Journal: Add these lesson plans to your homeschool or classroom to help incorporate Social-Emotional Learning and growth mindset to your children/students. It includes discussion questions, resources, extension activities, and teaching tips. This teaching resource goes together with the Big Life Journal - Teen Edition (you need the journal to use the guide). Recommended for ages 11 and above.

    Growth Mindset Resources

    Videos

    Other

    • MindsetMaker by Mindset Works: Work through this online professional development course, which teaches educators the foundation of a growth mindset and empowers them with the tools and resources to cultivate a growth mindset culture in their classrooms and schools.

    • LeaderKit by Mindset Works: Lead your school to embrace a growth mindset culture using these tools, resources, and strategies designed to reach students, staff, classrooms, and parents.

    • G-Words: 20 Strategies for Fostering Grit and Growth Mindset, an ebook by Chase Mielke: Read this free ebook about the importance of social-emotional learning in today’s schools. It’s packed with creative, engaging strategies and activities to use in your classroom.

    • Growth Mindset - An Interactive PowerPoint on Persistence and Mistakes by Eve Coates: Use this interactive PowerPoint to teach your students about how to grow their brains (and how not to grow them). Complete with colorful and engaging examples.

    • Growth Mindset from YouCubed: Find resources to address beliefs about mathematics and unlock your students’ math potential.

    • Growth Mindset, a Driving Philosophy, Not Just a Tool by Edutopia: Explore five growth mindset practices that can help educators and schools pursue a growth mindset orientation.

    • Big Life Kids Podcast by Big Life Journal: The Big Life Kids Podcast accompanies our journal for a multisensory learning experience. The podcast is absolutely free and includes helpful show notes for parents which include additional resource links and discussion questions.

    Printables

    • I Can Grow My Brain poster inside the Growth Mindset Printables Kit by Big Life Journal: Assemble and color this amazing poster that helps kids learn about the power of their brain!

    • Inspirational Poster Bundles by Big Life Journal: Decorate and inspire with this convenient bundle of posters with growth mindset messages for kids, tweens, and teens. These posters are designed to cultivate positive self-talk, improve self-esteem, and develop a growth mindset.

    Growth Mindset posters

    The Power of Praise

    Articles

    Videos

    • Carol Dweck: A Study on Praise and Mindsets by Trevor Ragan: Gain insight into Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking research on mindset and motivation through this brief but informative interview.

    • Effort, Not Achievement by Greater Good: Continue the discussion series featuring Kelly Corrigan and Christine Carter with this informative video about why the learning process trumps achievement for kids.

    • The Right Way to Praise Your Kids by Greater Good: Discover useful tips for praising your kids “the right way,” even if you’re finding it difficult to correct old habits.

    Printables

    • Growth Mindset Praise Examples inside the Growth Mindset Kit by Big Life Journal: Review these 8 phrases that show you how to praise your children to foster a growth mindset.

    • The Ultimate Guide to Praising Your Kids inside the Growth Mindset Kit by Big Life Journal: Print out this poster and keep it close at hand for when you need a quick reminder on how to positively praise your child. 

    How the Brain Learns

    Books

    Articles

    Videos

    • Growing Your Mind by Khan Academy: Share this video with your children or students to help them understand how struggle can “grow your brain.”

    Printables

    • I Can Grow My Brain poster available inside the Growth Mindset Printables Kit by Big Life Journal: Assemble and color this amazing poster that helps kids learn about the power of their brain!

    • How to Explain Growth Mindset to Kids: Neuroplasticity Activities and Resources available inside the Growth Mindset Printables Kit by Big Life Journal: Keep this guide handy when you need fun and tangible ideas on teaching growth mindset to your kids.

    Grow my brain poster

    Why Mistakes/Failure Are Great

    Books

    Articles

    Video

    Printables

    • Famous Failures by Big Life Journal: A printable set of worksheets highlighting famous people from around the world who have failed and struggled on their way to success.

    Famous Failures

    Misconceptions About Growth Mindset

    Articles

    Video

    Additional Resources

    Websites

    • The Gottman Institute: Explore resources based on decades of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman and learn how to use emotion coaching to help kids grow socially, intellectually and emotionally.

    • Hand in Hand Parenting: Discover ideas for creating a closer parent-child connection, how to listen to your kids, and even find your parenting style.

    Podcasts

    • Big Life Kids Podcast by Big Life Journal: The Big Life Kids Podcast accompanies our journal for a multisensory learning experience. The podcast is absolutely free and includes helpful show notes for parents which include additional resource links and discussion questions.
    • Authentic Parenting: Listen to free weekly podcasts on topics ranging from managing stress to how to say “no” to your kids.

    • Top 40 Growth Mindset Podcasts for Kids, Teens, and Parents for a list of amazing, character-building listening options for the whole family.

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